Temporary water barrier structure

ABSTRACT

A structure for forming a barrier for an adjacent level of water comprises a plurality of “A” panels and a plurality of “X” panels. The A panels have at least two slots each extending from one of first and second long edges of the A panel to a slot terminus between the two edges. The X panels each have at least two slots each extending from an intersection with one of first and second edges of the X panel to a slot terminus between the two edges. Placing the X panels in a crossed and interlocked relationship with the A panels forms four sides of at least one cell. A container filled with water is within each of the cells. The container is formed of flexible material impervious to water and defining a closed volume having an unstressed shape approximating that of the cell&#39;s four sides.

BACKGROUND

Flooding caused by melting snow and ice has become an unfortunate factof life for populations along northern rivers. When the threat arises,the usual procedure is to emplace temporary dikes or levees to restrainthe rising rivers from flooding valuable buildings.

At least five current solutions exist. One is to simply give up, andabandon sites subject to flooding. This is expensive and unpopular withthe residents of these at-risk areas.

Houses are sometimes built on stilts or pilings so that the valuableportions of the structure are at all times above the highest level offlooding. This solution leads to structures with very little estheticappeal. The necessity of climbing stairs every time one enters theoccupied space is also inconvenient.

Another solution is to install permanent levees, which is extremelyexpensive. Permanent levees also affect the ability to use the shorelandand destroy views of the river involved. When the river is within itsbanks, the view of the river is of course, an important amenity forselecting the site for residential structures.

A fourth solution is to install temporary dikes or barriers comprisingpiles of sandbags. This solution requires filling these sandbags withsand and one by one, heaping them onto each other to form the levee.

The process of filing the bags and then emplacing them to form therequired dikes is extremely time-consuming, expensive, and laborintensive. People from hundreds of miles away are recruited to help withthe sandbagging activities. The bags are heavy and huge numbers of themare required. For example, Fargo, N. Dak. used 350,000 sandbags to, asit turned out, successfully repel the 2009 flood on the Red River of theNorth.

After the river recedes, all of the bags must be removed and emptied.The sandbags themselves are usually destroyed because drying them ismore expensive than replacing them.

A particularly harmful aspect of this process is the procession of heavytrucks carrying the sand from its source to the levee sites. Thesetrucks travel over roads that are vulnerable to heavy loads and arenormally subject to spring load restrictions. Often, the roads aredamaged so badly as to require complete reconstruction. In addition, theprocess for handling the sand and sandbags requires much other heavyequipment.

A more recent solution is to provide a water-filled flood barrier. Theinstant application claims benefit of the filing date of an applicationdisclosing an interlocking system of individual water containers. Whileeffective for its purpose, cost and storage issues for this solution maybe objectionable.

It is fair to say that the first four of these solutions are primitive,and all of them are and unsatisfactory in one respect or another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A structure for holding a plurality of volumes of water to form a leveeor barrier for containing an adjacent body of water comprises a numberof sheets or panels formed of “semi-rigid” material.

The term “semi-rigid” in this context means that a sheet or panel formedof such material and having appropriate thickness can support itselfwhen suspended as a horizontal beam between two spaced supports. A sheetformed of such material will also typically sag an appreciable amountbetween the two supports under its own weight.

Plywood of various thicknesses comprise one type of such semi-rigidmaterial. Likely, fiberglass and other plastic and composite sheet-likepanels will also serve this purpose. In general, suitable materials forpanels are able to maintain their semi-rigid characteristics for severalweeks while immersed in water.

The structure includes at least first and second semi-rigid “A” panels,and typically many more than two A panels. Each A panel has first andsecond opposite edges having a predetermined spacing. Each A panel hasat least two slots each extending from one of the first and second edgesof the A panel to a slot terminus between the two edges. Each A panelslot has a width of at least a predetermined X panel thickness and apredetermined depth.

The structure also includes at least first and second semi-rigid “X” orcross panels each having the predetermined X panel thickness. Each Xpanel has first and second opposite edges spaced a predetermined seconddistance apart. Each X panel has at least two slots each extending fromone of the first and second edges of the X panel to a slot terminusbetween the two edges. Each of the X panel slots has a width of at leasta predetermined A panel thickness and a predetermined slot depth.

The structure comprises the A panels in a crossed and interlockedrelationship with the X panels to form at least one cell. This cellcomprises portions of two A panels forming two opposing sides thereofand portions of two X panels forming two opposing sides thereof. Each Apanel is within a X panel slot and each X panel is within slots of atleast two A panels. In this configuration, each X panel slot is inalignment with an A panel slot, and with the termini of each pair ofaligned A and X panel slots in proximity with each other

A container formed of flexible material within each of the at least onecell defines a closed volume having an unstressed shape and dimensionsapproximating that defined by the cell's four sides.

“Flexible material impervious to water” in this context, means aflexible material of sufficient strength and thickness to retain waterwithout leakage and when filled with water, successfully resist tearingor leaking at voids that may be present where panels intersect, at anirregular surface on which the four panels rest, and at the top. Suchmaterial also should have flexibility adequate to allow the container tocollapse into a substantially flat or compact form for shipping andstorage.

“Unstressed shape and dimensions that approximate that of the cell'sfour sides” means that when the container is filled with water itsubstantially conforms to the four sides of the cell without tearing orleaking, by stretching or folding if necessary. Note that when empty orwhen inflated with air, the container shape may be substantiallydifferent from a cell.

A preferred embodiment includes X panels with slot widths that are atleast twice the A panel predetermined thickness. End slots of two Apanels fit within each slot of at least one X panel in the structure,with the remaining portion of the A panels extending in oppositedirections and forming parts of two different sections of the barrier.This allows creation of a structure of any desired length, and manytimes longer than a single A panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show plan views of A and X panels respectively for use informing a flood barrier.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating how the A and Xpanels fit together to form a flood barrier.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a plurality of each of the A and Xpanels assembled in a crossed and interlocking relationship to hold aplurality of water containers, to thereby form a flood barrier.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the barrier of FIG. 4 and a furtherbarrier in exploded view illustrating how a plurality of barrierportions may be stacked to provide a flood barrier of greater height.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a particular version of a watercontainer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A typical temporary barrier B (FIG. 4) or B′ (FIG. 5) for retainingflood waters comprises a number of semi-rigid rectangular A panels 11 asshown in plan view in FIG. 1, and a number of semi-rigid rectangular Xpanels 10 shown in plan view in FIG. 2. A panels 11 and X panels 10 havecooperating features that allow them to interlock in a manner allowingconstruction of a barrier B or B′ of any desired length and width.

A panels 11 extend along the length of the barrier B or B′. X panels 10are in an assembled barrier B or B′, in a crossed and interlockingrelationship with A panels 11 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The A panels 11and the X panels 10 cooperate to form a number of cells 12. At least onecontainer 40 occupies each cell 12. Each container 40 in an operatingbarrier B is completely filled with water.

The plan view of an A panel 11 in FIG. 1 shows a version having fourequally-spaced slots 21 extending perpendicularly from a long edge 15 ofan A panel 11. A panel 11 as shown in FIG. 1 may be 2 ft.×8 ft., thuscomprising one half of a standard 4 ft.×8 ft. plywood sheet. Otherdimensions and configurations for A panels 11 and the slots 21 in themmay also be desirable.

The number of slots 21 in an A panel 11 will typically vary from threeto five. The two outer slots 21 may each be 4-6 in. from the adjacentparallel (short) edge of an A panel 11. Each outer slot 21 defines acantilevered tab or arm 39 between itself and the adjacent paralleledge. In addition, A panels 11 preferably have drainage access openings22 near a lower edge 16 opposite from edge 15, as shown in FIG. 1. Atleast some of the A panels 11 may also have a brace bar hole 25 near theend of the lower edge 16, and in substantial alignment with the adjacentslot 21.

The plan view of an X panel in FIG. 2 shows a version having threeequally spaced slots 27 extending perpendicularly from a long edge 18 ofX panel 18. X panel 10 as shown in FIG. 1 may be 2 ft. H×6 ft. W. Theheight h of each X panel 10 is preferably equal to the height of the Apanels 11. Outer slots 27 may each be 4-6 in. from the adjacent paralleledge, to define a cantilevered tab or arm 36 between an outer slot 27and the adjacent parallel edge of X panel 10.

Some applications may require that arms 36 have strengthening beams 30attached to one or both sides of panel 10 along the length of each arm36. Beams 30 may comprise lengths of standard 2×4 lumber attached tobeams 30 by deck screws for example.

X and A panels 10 and 11 may comprise standard A-C plywood, marine gradeplywood, fiberglass sheets, or a combination of these materials. Thethickness of both the A panels 11 and the X panels 10 made from suchmaterials may range from 0.5 in. to 1.0 in. depending on the materialused and the dimensions of panels 10 and 11. The thickness preferably isnot so great that the weight of the panels 10 and 11 makes theirhandling difficult.

For cost reasons as much as anything, each A panel 11 and each X panel10 preferably has substantially uniform thickness although A panels 11may be of a different thickness from X panels 10. Even individual Apanels 11 may differ in thickness depending on their position in abarrier B or B′.

The slots 21 in the A panels 11 should be equal to or slightly widerthan the thickness of the X panels 10, that is from 0.5 to 1.0 in. Slots27 in the X panels may be equal to or slightly wider than twice thethickness of the A panels 11, that is from perhaps 1.1 to 2.1 in. wide.The reason for this difference in width will be explained in connectionwith FIG. 4.

Assuming that A panels 11 and X panels 10 have equal heights h(preferred), then the sum of the depth d_(A) of a slot 21 in an A panel11 and the depth d_(X) of a slot 24 in an X panel 10 should be slightlygreater than h to allow complete interleaving of the X panels 10 and theA panels 11 in a barrier B or B′. It is unlikely that slots 21 and 27for which d_(A)+d_(X)<h is true will be desirable. In general,d_(A)=d_(X) will also be approximately true, but certainly notnecessary. Note that d_(A) and d_(X) values much greater than h/2 islikely not desirable since this will weaken X panels 10 and A panels 11unnecessarily.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of a single X panel 10 and twoA panels 11 that indicates how the panels 10 and 11 fit together. AsFIG. 3 suggests, one section of a barrier constructed from the A panels11 and X panels 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises four X panels 10 and threeA panels 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, the slots of the A panels 11 are open upwards andthe slots of the X panels 10 are open downwards, and this is likely apreferable orientation. Each A panel 11 fits within a slot 27 of each offour X panels 10 so that each A panel 11 is in a crossed and interlockedrelationship with four X panels 10.

The partially exploded perspective view of FIG. 4 shows the constructionof two barrier sections B1 and B2 using A panels 11 and X panels 10 toform a single flood barrier B. Four X panels 10 hold three A panels 11in a grid arrangement to form six cells 12 for each of the sections B1and B2. Each cell 12 has four sides comprising parts of two A panels 11and parts of two X panels 10. Note that the two barrier sections B1 andB2 share an X panel 10′.

Similarly each X panel 10 and 10′ is within slots 21 of three A panels11 so that each A panel 11 is in a crossed and interlocked relationshipwith four X panels 10. Taking barrier section B1 as an example, the fourX panels 10 and 10A and the three A panels 11 cooperate to form sixcells 12 in barrier section B1. The length relationship of d_(A) andd_(X) specified above allows edges 15 and 17 to be approximatelycoplanar when A panels 11 interlock with X panels 10.

Each section B1 is designed to also interlock with the neighboringsection B2 by sharing a single X panel 10′. An end slot of an A panel 11from section B1 shares the slot The wider slots 27 in X panel 10′ allowtwo A panels 11 from two adjacent barrier sections and extending inopposite directions, to simultaneously interlock with a single slot 24of X panel 10′. End slots 21 of each of two A panels 11 interlock with asingle X panel 10, with the two A panels 11 extending in oppositedirections. In this way, the three A panels 11 in each barrier sectionB1 and B2 form the crossed and interlocked relationship with shared Xpanel 10′, and interlock to connect barrier sections B1 and B2 to eachother.

As many barrier sections B1, B2, etc. as is necessary can be connectedto form an uninterrupted barrier B for holding back flood water. Eachbarrier section B1, B2, etc. interlocks with a neighboring barriersection B1, etc. at a common X panel 10′.

Although the structure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 seems to be the bestavailable for forming barrier B, other arrangements may also besuitable. These other arrangements are considered to be within thedefinition of the invention and the crossed and interlocked arrangement.

Each cell 12 of a barrier section B1 has within it a water container 40formed of flexible material impervious to water. Each container 40 formsa closed volume having an unstressed shape and dimensions approximatingthat of the parallelpiped defined by the four sides of each cell 12.Note the definitions of “flexible material impervious to water” and“unstressed shape and dimensions that approximate that of the cell'sfour sides” above.

Because maintaining the water-holding capacity of containers 40 iscritical, the material comprising them must robustly resist bursting andpuncturing. A number of sheet materials and nonwoven fabrics of 6-20 milthickness provide suitable strength for the physical integrity neededduring use, and the flexibility for compact storage.

A and X panels 11, 10 having dimensions as above in a barrier B witharms 36 and 39 having a width equaling 5 in. form cells 12 whosedimensions are approximately 28 in. L×30 in. W×24 in. H. “L,” “W,” and“H” respectively designate the dimension along the length, width, andheight of barrier B.

Water completely filling a container 40 fitting snugly in such a cell 12weighs about 725 lb. A barrier B1 comprising six cells 12 thus weighsabout 4350 lb. This weight is fully sufficient to resist a level ofwater rising to the top of barrier section B1 without shifting ortipping. Placing a few sandbags on the water side of a barrier sectionB1 for example prevents all or nearly all leakage between the ground andbarrier section B1.

While FIG. 4 shows a single container 40, the term “container 40” inthis description should also be understood to include a structurecomprising two or more individual containers whose collective shapeswhen placed adjacent to each other approximate that of the four sides ofa cell 12. Thus a single cell 12 may contain two or more individualcontainers that together form container 40.

Each container 40 includes a filling port 44 and a draining port 47. Theport 47 position aligns it with a drainage access opening 22 in an Apanel 11. Each port 44 and 47 comprises a hole and a watertight plug.Preferably each hole and plug combination incorporates a means ofsecuring the plug by for example a screw thread in the hole to preventwater leakage, but yet allows easy plug removal to drain container 40when disassembling barrier B. Because of the substantial pressure that 2ft. or more of standing water creates, container 40 may need areinforcement 56 to prevent tearing of container 40 at drainage accessopenings 24.

On occasion barrier B may be assembled on terrain having sharp orpointed rocks, stumps, etc. A buffer sheet or panel 50 placed at thebottom of cell 12 can serve to protect the structural integrity of thecontainer 40 within that cell 12.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative structure, where the functionality of sheet50 is provided by a relatively thick and stiff bottom 58 forming anintegral part of container 40′. Such a bottom does not interfere withthe ability of a container 40 to collapse into a relatively compactstructure.

The standing head of water within containers 40 creates substantialoutward force at the bottom edges of X panels 10 that do not form partsof two cells 12. Thus, the portions of X panels 10 between slots 27receive cantilevered loads that may possibly bend, bulge out, or breakindividual X panel 10 portions between two adjacent slots 27.

To solve this potential problem, the assembler prior to filling thecontainer 40, inserts a brace bar 53 into brace bar holes 25 of each Apanel 11 projecting past an end X panel 10. When the A panels 11 arefirst placed in crossed and interlocking position with an end X panel10, brace bar holes 25 are preferably substantially tangent with theouter surface of the adjacent outer X panel 10.

As hydrostatic pressure forces the bottoms of an end X panel 10outwards, these bottom edges press against the brace bar 53. The forceof the hydrostatic pressure against brace bar 53 places the unslottedlengths of the A panels 11 in tension to resist this hydrostaticpressure. This force also locks brace bar 53 in place.

Brace bar 53 may comprise a length of reinforcing rod or even a woodenbar such as a 2×4. Obviously, holes 25 must match the cross section ofthe particular structure selected for brace bar 53.

A number of other expedients may exist for adding support to theportions of X panels 10 between slots 27. One of these expedients mayfor example, include blocks or chocks attached to the projecting A panel11 ends. Another may comprise individual pins inserted into each of theholes 25. These and other expedients providing similar functionality areall meant to be included as a type of brace bar 53.

During assembly, three individual A panels 11 are placed vertically onthe ground, slots 21 upwards, with spacing between adjacent A panels 11equal to that between individual slots 27 in X panels 10. Then slippingindividual X panels 10, slots 27 down, into slots 21 and with A panels11 in slots 27, forms the crossed and interlocked relationship thatcreates individual cells 12.

Then individual containers 40 are placed in each cell 12 with drainageports 47 within the openings 22 and filler ports 44 facing upwards.Brace bars 53 are inserted in holes 25 as necessary.

Water is then pumped into each container 40 through filler ports 44.Because of the potential for the hydrostatic force of the water toexcessively deflect bottom portions of X panels 10, it may be necessaryto only partially fill each container 40 initially, and then completefilling of an individual container 40 after each of its neighbors havebeen partially filled. Note also that the flexibility of containers 40may require that the filler hose or nozzle is attached to ports 44during filling.

Disassembly is easy. Each drainage port 47 is successively opened andwater drains out under the force of gravity. As the water drains,individual containers 40 collapse under atmospheric pressure into a sizerelatively easy to transport and store.

FIG. 5 shows a partially exploded view of a two level barrier BBcomprising a lower barrier portion B identical to that shown in FIG. 4,and an upper barrier portion B′. Barrier portion B′ comprises four Apanels 11 and seven X′ panels 10′ to define seven cells 12. The width(horizontal) dimension of X′ panel 10′ may be approximately 3.5 ft.wide.

Each cell 12 in both upper barrier portion B′ and lower barrier B is tobe occupied by a container 40, omitted for simplicity of illustration inFIG. 5. Barrier B′ thus adds substantial weight to the entire barrierBB. For the dimensions suggested above, this added weight isapproximately 4350 lb. for the six cells 12 of barrier B′.

Upper barrier portion B′ sits on lower barrier portion B to form barrierBB. In the version of FIG. 5, barrier portion B′ sits equally on bothsides of center A panels 11 of barrier portion B. X′ panels 10′ alignwith X panels 10 of barrier portion B.

To provide support for the filled containers 40, an optional supportpanel 59 distributes the substantial load of these containers 40 inbarrier portion B′ among the X and A panels 10 and 11 in lower barrierportion B. Such a panel 59 may be unnecessary if barrier portion B′ usesthe containers 40′ of FIG. 6 having integral reinforcement.

However, experience may indicate that more appropriately lengthwisepositioning of a barrier portion B′ on barrier portion B locates X′panels 10′ to fall approximately midway between the X panels 10 below.Similarly, barrier portion B′ may also be advantageously positioned sothat the A panels 11 in barrier portion B′ are in approximately verticalalignment with the A panels 11 of barrier portion B. In such anarrangement, much of each container 40 weight is borne by the container40 immediately beneath. This will reduce compressive loads on X and Apanels 10, 11 in barrier portion B, but increase the hydrostatic forceson outer A panels 11 and end X panels 10 in barrier portion B.

The X and A panels 10, 11 forming barrier portion B comprise beams incolumn loading. Filled containers 40 and the crossed and interlockedrelationship among X and A panels 10, 11 provide substantial supportagainst lateral buckling by panels 10, 11 in barrier B.

Given adequate compressive and hydrostatic load bearing ability for theX and A panels 10, 11 in barrier portion B, it is possible to constructa barrier having three to four levels. This provides such a barrier withsubstantial height, and with sufficient weight to retain a wall of waterreaching nearly to the barrier's top.

As an example of the calculations governing stacking several layers ofbarrier portions B, consider the following. Engineering tablesspecifying compressive strength of various softwoods suggest that areasonably derated wet strength load-bearing ability parallel to thegrain is around 500 psi. It is also reasonable to assume that panels 10,11 when made of fir (softwood) plywood can be designed to orient 75% ofthe plies in them with their grain vertical as panels 10, 11 aredeployed in FIG. 5.

Assume panels 10, 11 in bottom barrier B of FIG. 5 comprise 1 in. thickfir plywood with vertically oriented grain in 75% of the thickness.Calculations based on these assumptions show that a central A panel 11in barrier portion B can support more than 3000 lb. per linear foot of Apanels 11. Thus, a barrier portion B as shown in FIG. 5 can support morethan 11,000 lb. per cell 12, where cell 12 is 30 in. in length.

This means that three vertically stacked barrier portions B′ on such abarrier B are safe. Three barrier portions B′ stacked on top of eachother will weigh around 2200 lb. per cell 12 in bottom barrier portionB. And these calculations assume that the containers 40 in the bottombarrier portion B bear none of the load, likely an incorrect assumption.

One can also pyramid a number of levels of barriers. For example, abottom barrier might be three cells 12 wide, a middle level barriermight be two cells 12 wide, and a top barrier one cell 12 wide might siton the center of the middle level barrier. It may be necessary for Xpanels 10 to share slots in A panels 11, in which case the A panel slots21 must be wide enough to accept two X panels 10.

The structural integrity of the containers 40 is important. Even slowleaks in even one or two containers 40 over the period of a few weeksthat a flood may persist, could result in failure of the barrier.Therefore, ports 44 and 47 must not leak at all, and the materialcomprising the containers 40 walls, top, and bottom must be robustenough to resist any conceivable penetration. This is particularly truefor containers 40 on the flood side of the barrier because inspection ofthem is not easy.

Also, prolonged exposure to pressurized flood water at the bottom of abarrier may weaken panels 10, 11, particularly those comprising plywood.Marine grade plywood is designed for service in wet conditions may beappropriate for at least all the A panels 11 on the flood side of abarrier BB, and for all the X panels 10 interlocking with those Apanels.

1. A structure for holding a plurality of volumes of water to form abarrier for an adjacent level of water, comprising: a) at least firstand second semi-rigid “A” panels having a predetermined A panelthickness, each A panel having first and second opposite edges having apredetermined spacing, and each A panel having at least two slots eachextending from one of the first and second edges of the A panel to aslot terminus between the two edges, each A panel slot having a width ofat least a predetermined X panel thickness and a predetermined depth; b)at least first and second semi-rigid “X” panels each having thepredetermined X panel thickness, each X panel having first and secondopposite edges having a predetermined spacing, and each X panel havingat least two slots each extending from an intersection with one of thefirst and second edges of the X panel to a slot terminus between the twoedges, each X panel slot having a width of at least a predetermined Apanel thickness and a predetermined slot depth; wherein the X panels arein a crossed and interlocked relationship with the A panels to form foursides of at least one cell, said cell comprising portions of two Apanels forming two opposing sides thereof and portions of two X panelsforming two opposing sides thereof, with each A panel within a X panelslot and each X panel within slots of at least two A panels, and witheach X panel slot in alignment with an A panel slot, and with thetermini of each pair of aligned A and X panel slots in proximity witheach other, and further comprising c) within each of the at least onecell, a container formed of flexible material impervious to water anddefining a closed volume having an unstressed shape approximating thatof the cell's four sides.
 2. The structure of claim 1, wherein each ofthe slots in each of the A panels intersects the panel's first edge andeach of the slots in each of the X panels intersects the panel's firstedge.
 3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the first and second edges ofthe A panel are parallel, and the first and second edges of the X panelare parallel, wherein each slot in each of the X and A panels are ofdepth substantially equal to the space the container includes a top anda first side wall, a sealable filler opening in the top, and a sealabledrain opening in the first side wall.
 3. The structure of claim 2,wherein each A panel has adjacent to the second edge and between eachpair of slots, an aperture in alignment with the drain opening.
 4. Thestructure of claim 2, wherein the filler opening is adjacent to thefirst side wall.
 5. The structure of claim 1 wherein the A and X panelseach contain at least three equally spaced slots.
 6. The structure ofclaim 1, wherein the A panels have at least four equally spaced slots.7. The structure of claim 6 wherein the A and X panels comprise plywood.8. The structure of claim 6 wherein the A and X panels comprise aplastic composite material.
 9. The structure of claim 1, wherein the Aand X panels are each rectangular, wherein the predetermined first andsecond distances are substantially equal, and wherein the A panelsprojecting past an end X panel each have in a lower corner thereof, ahole in a predetermined position adjacent to one X panel and inalignment with each other, and further comprising a brace rod passingthrough each hole.
 10. The structure of claim 9, wherein the brace rodcomprises one of steel and wood
 11. The structure of claim 1 wherein theA and X panels comprise plywood.
 12. The structure of claim 1, whereinthe X panel slot widths are at least twice the A panel predeterminedthickness, and wherein end slots of two A panels share a slot of atleast one X panel in the structure with the remaining portions of said Apanels extending in opposite directions, to thereby create a structureof predetermined length longer than a single A panel.
 13. The structureof claim 1, wherein a plurality of the containers each include asealable filler port in a top surface of the container.
 14. Thestructure of claim 13, wherein a plurality of the containers eachinclude a sealable drain port in a side surface of the container andnear the bottom thereof., and wherein an adjacent A panel includes adrainage access opening in alignment with the drain port.
 15. Thestructure of claim 1, wherein the structure includes a buffer sheetbelow the container in a plurality of cells.
 16. The structure of claim1 comprising an upper level barrier portion and a lower level barrierportion, where each of the upper and lower barrier portions comprise aplurality of X panels and a plurality of A panels cooperating to form aplurality of cells, and within each cell, a container for holding water,said upper level barrier and the containers within the cells of theupper level barrier supported at least in part by the A panels of thelower level barrier portion.
 17. The structure of claim 16, including asupport panel interposed between the upper and lower level barriers. 18.The structure of claim 1, including a water container having arelatively thick and stiff bottom forming an integral part thereof.